There is no hard-and-fast rule about when/how to feed ball pythons. If they're slowing down, go to every ten days and see if that keeps them more consistent. And/or try smaller meals. And it doesn't hurt them to eat mice. If they will eat mice, then feed 'em mice. Females are notorious for going off food as they approach the 1000g mark. I think they do it just to taunt everyone who wishes they'd reach breeding size faster.![]()